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Biomedical subjects

W M Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to W M Johnson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

A new heat-labile cytolethal distending toxin (CLDT) produced by Campylobacter spp.

A new heat-labile toxin cytolethal to CHO, Vero, HeLa, and HEp-2 cells and negative in Y-1 cells has been demonstrated in culture filtrates of many strains of Campylobacter spp. This new toxin was termed a cytolethal distending toxin (CLDT) to reflect the progressive cell distention and eventual cytotoxicity observed in all sensitive tissue cells. CLDT was distinct from previously reported cytotoxins and cholera-like enterotoxin produced by some Campylobacter spp. Since CHO elongation induced by either the Campylobacter enterotoxin or CLDT could not be differentiated after 24 h incubation, continuation of the assay for 96 h was essential for observation of CLDT-associated progressive morphological changes and cytolethal events. Specific assay conditions were required for demonstration of CLDT in Vero, HeLa, and HEp-2 cells. A 31-fold increase in cyclic AMP levels was observed in CHO cells exposed for 24 h to CLDT of catalase negative or weak positive Campylobacter. CLDT was detected in culture filtrates from strains of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. fetus subsp. fetus, C. laridis and catalase negative or weak positive Campylobacter. Of 718 strains investigated from both human and animal isolations, 295 (41%) were found to produce this toxin. Campylobacter CLDT was negative in adult rabbit ligated ileal loops, suckling mouse and rabbit skin tests. Hemorrhagic responses were observed in rat ligated ileal loop tests of CLDT-positive cultures. The new CLDT toxin could only be neutralized by homologous rabbit antitoxin, was trypsin-sensitive, nondialyzable and over 30,000 in molecular weight. CLDT-producing strains were observed in many serogroups and biotypes of Campylobacter spp. The strains tested originated from many countries and no clear association of toxigenicity with serotype or biotype could be established.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Virulence properties of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O8: KX105 strains isolated from diarrheic piglets.

Twenty-two enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) O8:KX105 strains isolated from 1- to 7-week-old diarrheic piglets were examined for virulence properties. Thirteen strains caused acute watery diarrhea in orally infected, colostrum-deprived newborn piglets, whereas the remaining nine did not. The enteropathogenic strains colonized the small intestine, albeit with lower intensity than classical porcine ETEC. They produced the heat-stable STb and heat-labile LT enterotoxins, whereas the nonenteropathogenic strains produced the STb enterotoxin alone. None of the E. coli O8:KX105 strains exhibited mannose-resistant hemagglutination with erythrocytes from 12 species. Ten of the enteropathogenic and two of the nonenteropathogenic strains were positive for mannose-sensitive hemagglutination. These strains produced rodlike fimbriae 3 to 5 nm in diameter, whereas no fimbriae were detected on the other strains. None of the 22 strains produced the fimbrial antigens F4, F5, F41, F2, F3, FY(Att 25), and F165. Of the 13 enteropathogenic strains, 10 expressed the F6 antigen in the intestines of infected piglets but not in cultures. The other three enteropathogenic strains apparently lacked all of the known fimbrial antigens from porcine ETEC.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Prevalence of fimbrial antigens and enterotoxins in nonclassical serogroups of Escherichia coli isolated from newborn pigs with diarrhea.

Ninety-nine nonclassical serogroups isolated from newborn pigs with neonatal diarrhea were tested for fimbrial antigens F4(K88), F5(K99), F6(987P), F41, and F165, and for heat-labile enterotoxin, heat-stable enterotoxin a (STa), heat-stable enterotoxin b, verocytotoxin, and cytolethal-distending toxin. Thirty-two strains, belonging mostly to serogroups O64:K"V142,", O9:K103, and O20:K101, were F5-positive and usually produced STa, although 5 strains produced only heat-stable enterotoxin b. Fifteen strains, belonging mostly to serogroups O64:K"V142" and O20:K101, were F41 positive and usually produced STa. Twenty-three stains, belonging mostly to serogroups O64:K"V142," O9:K103, and O20:K101, were F6-positive and usually produced STa. Several strains produced more than one fimbrial antigen, either F5 and F41, F5 and F6, F6 and F41, F6 and F165, or F5, F6, F41, and F165. None of the strains produced heat-labile enterotoxin, verocytotoxin, or cytolethal-distending toxin. The indirect immunofluorescence test was much more sensitive than was the slide agglutination test for the detection of each of the fimbrial antigens F5, F6, F41, and F165 on strains grown in vitro. The production of F6 by certain strains for which only a low proportion of cells were F6-positive in vitro, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence, was confirmed by experimental infection of newborn pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Natural infection with an attaching and effacing Escherichia coli in a diarrheic puppy.

Enteric infection with an attaching and effacing Escherichia coli was diagnosed in a puppy with protracted diarrhea. Extensive colonization of the small intestinal mucosa was observed by light and scanning electron microscopy and characteristic lesions of bacterial attachment of the brush border of the enterocytes were demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. The E. coli strain isolated from the small intestine belonged to serotype O49:H10, did not produce any known E. coli enterotoxin or cytotoxin, was not invasive, and was negative for the known fimbrial colonization factors produced by animal and human enterotoxigenic E. coli. A positive immunoperoxidase reaction was obtained on the bacteria attached to the enterocytes with an anti-E. coli O49 antiserum.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Premature coronary artery atherosclerosis in a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome.

A 26-year old white male with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus presented with asymptomatic bilateral lower limb swelling. An electrocardiogram was consistent with an inferior wall myocardial infarction of unknown age and a graded exercise test using the Bruce protocol was consistent with inferolateral ischemia. Subsequent cardiac catheterization showed severe, inoperable, three-vessel coronary artery disease. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in PWS has been documented only once in the literature, and then only postmortem. This case provides further (and for the first time, premortem) documentation that premature atherosclerotic coronary artery disease may play an important but presently unrecognized role in the morbidity and mortality in PWS.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Pulmonary endometriosis: treatment with danazol.

Pulmonary endometriosis is a rare clinical problem. There is limited information available regarding management of this disorder. Four cases of successful treatment with danazol have been reported. This is a report of a woman with catamenial hemoptysis who responded successfully to danazol therapy; however, hemoptysis resumed after cessation of therapy. The patient was subsequently treated successfully with a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Cytotoxic and cytotonic factors produced by Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter laridis.

Complete toxigenicity studies were performed on 341 strains of Campylobacter spp., including 23 nonhuman isolates. Toxin profiles based on both cytotonic and cytotoxic factors were determined after analyzing responses in Vero, HeLa, CHO and Y-1 cells. Suckling mouse assays were consistently negative for all culture filtrates tested. Toxin-producing strains were frequently encountered among both the human and nonhuman strains of Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, and C. laridis investigated. Strains isolated from outbreaks demonstrated parallels in serotype, biotype, and toxigenicity profile, although no clear association could be demonstrated. Biphasic culture conditions conducive to the production of both toxic factors were delineated for the propagation of test Campylobacter strains. Cytotonic effects of Campylobacter culture filtrates were determined in Vero and CHO cells, and cyclic AMP accumulation in cells exposed to these culture filtrates was compared with that in cells exposed to reference toxigenic strains of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli. Partial neutralization of C. jejuni enterotoxin was demonstrated by using antitoxins to cholera toxin and E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin. No neutralization of C. jejuni cytotoxin could be achieved by using antitoxins to either Clostridium difficile cytotoxin or E. coli Verotoxin (0157:H7).

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Masking power of dental opaque porcelains.

A technique was developed to qualify the masking power of undiluted opaque dental porcelain by dilution of opaque powder with a clear glaze powder and by extrapolation of quantitative data gathered by reflectance spectrophotometry. Quantification of reflectance data was made on dilute opaque porcelains using the scattering and absorption coefficients in the Kubelka-Munk equation. Qualitative comparisons of undiluted opaque porcelains were made from quantitative data gathered from diluted opaque porcelains.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1984

Clinical testing of the otoliths: a critical assessment of ocular counterrolling.

A test procedure which measures the amount of ocular counterrolling (OCR) of the eyes in response to lateral tilt of the body is considered a means of obtaining objective responses to stimulation of the otolithic receptors in the non-auditory labyrinth of the inner ear. OCR is thought to be the result of changing the orientation of the otolithic maculae relative to the gravitational vector. A special optical system (goniometer) has been devised which enables the observer to obtain a clear image of the subject's eye and to measure OCR responses in degrees and minutes of arc. Although attempts have been made elsewhere to evaluate the clinical significance of such responses, the results have been controversial, and clearly indicate the need for further study in order that OCR may be utilized as a reliable diagnostic tool. Accordingly, a review of the literature is presented, together with preliminary findings at St. Michael's Hospital and recommendations for further research.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Fatal coccidioidomycosis in collagen vascular diseases.

Ten patients who died from coccidioidomycosis in Arizona from 1968 to 1975 had underlying collagen vascular diseases: 4 with rheumatoid arthritis, 4 with systemic lupus erythematosus, and 2 with dermatomyositis. All 10 patients had been treated with corticosteroids; 2 were taking cytotoxic drugs. Collagen vascular diseases and the use of corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs may be associated with the depression of cell-mediated immunity. The potential for opportunistic coccidioidomycosis should be noted when corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs are used for treating collagen vascular disease in patients residing in or coming from areas where coccidioidomycosis is endemic.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1981

Respiratory disease in a mushroom worker.

A patient with allergic alveolitis demonstrated by lung biopsy is described in a mushroom worker in Washington State presenting with severe airways obstruction. This is the first case of mushroom worker's lung reported in the United States outside the mushroom industry in Pennsylvania. The processes of commercial mushroom growing are discussed, and the literature on mushroom worker's lung is reviewed.

Adult↗